Expansible tool handle



NOV' 27, 1951 P. H. DQRTMUND Y EXPANSIBLE TOOL HANDLE Filed Deo. 29, 1945 BZYDWZ Dormuntl Patented Nov. 27,VV 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXPANSIBLE TOOL HANDLE Paul H. Dortmund, Columbus, Ohio Application December Z9, 1945, Serial No. 637,991

(Cl. 145-61) v 5 Claims.

`means for gradually strengthening and stretching damaged hand muscles to the extent of restoring the same to normal usage.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a tool or implement handle that is adjustable so as to vary the size of the gripping portion thereof.

It is another object of my invention to provide a tool handle that may vbe used, due to the adjustable size of its gripping surface, in the therapeutic treatment of hand injuries.

For a further and more complete understanding of my proposed tool handle, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical elevational side view of my improved handle in use with a hammer head;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional View showing the handle in its normal or contracted condition;

Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the handle in its expanded or enlarged condition;

Fig. 4 is a bottom elevational view of my proposed handle, disclosing the triangular adjusting head;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the wrench used in the adjustment of the expansible handle;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

As shown in the drawings, my expansible handle comprises a longitudinally split body I forming a pair of resiliently separable gripping sections II and I2. The adjoining faces of the gripping sections II and I2 are so shaped as to form an internal tapering chamber I3, a relatively cylindrical shaped chamber I4, and a relatively smaller tubular channel I which joins the two chambers I3 and I4 and extends through said body to a circular recess I5 in the bottom end of the handle.

4A wedge element I6 is located Within the internal tapering chamber I3 and contains a threaded channel through its center. The wedge element I6 is in operating engagement with a threaded shaft Il introduced through the bottom of the handle within the tubular channel l5. The outer end of the shaft Il terminates in a triangular nut I8 adapted to be operated by a special triangular socket wrench 25.

A ferrule I9 is applied around the outer portion of the bottom end of the handle and serves to hold the ends of the gripping sections II and I 2 together.

When it is desired to expand the gripping surface of the handle, the triangular nut I8 is rotated by the wrench 25, in turn the wedge I6 is drawn down the shaft Il and exerts an outward force against the walls of the tapered chamber I3, thereby moving the gripping sections II and I2..

'I'he handle remains in the expanded position until the shaft I'I is rotated in the opposite direction, thereby removing the forces applied through the wedge I6. An elastic covering 20 may be used over the gripping sections Il and I2 to absorb a part of the impact shock produced by use of the tool and serves to provide a soft smooth surface for the hand of a person using the tool.

The purpose of the triangular nut I8 and the special Wrench 25 is to provide a means whereby the handle may be expanded under the supervision of a person controlling the treatment of a patient using my improved handle, said supervisor retaining possession of the wrench 25 so that the patient will be unable to change th adjustment of the handle.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that my invention provides a simple expansible handle for tools and other implements adapted to be used particularly for the therapeutic treatment of hand injuries. For example, a patient starting treatment will use the handle in an extremely expanded condition, and as the patient progresses, the handle will be gradually contracted at intervals until the patient is able to use an ordinary sized handle. In this way, the patient may eventually realize the full use of his hands again.

My invention is characterized by its simplicity of construction and ease of operation.

While I have disclosed what I deem to be a preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes of construction and design may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

therein to resiliently expand the intermediatel portions of said sections, and externally .accessible means extending within said opening and engageable with said wedge-:shapedfelement'for imparting longitudinal movement to the latter.

2. An expansible implement handle comprising a pair of resiliently separable handle sections having opposed and longitudinally extending inner surfaces, means :rigidly clamping the lrespective end 'portionsof said handle sections .to-

vgetlier, the opposed inner surfaces of said sections being recessed intermediate their enden-nd forming 'in vsaid handle an yopening having longi tudinally tapered side wallsya Wedgeelement slid ably positioned 'between and in :engagement with the foppcsed surfaces of :said f sections Within said opening andimovablelongitudinally therein to resiliently separate said sections intermediate :their ends, and .means .accessible freni .one end of ,said handle section 'and Vconnected 'with ssaid `Wedge element for imparting movement thereto.

` 3. AAn expansible implement handle comprising a 'pair of .elongated :independent resiliently .separable 'gripping sections arranged v in longitudinally extending opposed order means clamping 'the respective .ends of Said .sections against separation, said .sections being :recessed along their intermediate opposed .surfaces ,and :forming :in :said handle an .opening :having :longitudinally tapered yside Walls, a Wedge-shaped element .positioned iin fsaid opening ,and abutting `the side `fafa-ils therecfand movable longitudinally @of said Iripening :for resiliently separating ithe intermediate portions of said sections, and a threaded shaft y'accessible from one end of said gripping sections and having threaded engagement with saidwedge-shaped i element and operable :to :move t'he latter .longitudinally .of said opening.

e4. vAn expansible implement handle comprising =;a pair pi :independent resiliently separable 'grip- .4 ping sections arranged in longitudinally extending opposed order socketed means connected with the respective ends of said sections for rigidly holding the respective ends of said sections against separation, said sections being recessed along their intermediate opposed surfaces and forming in said handle an opening having longitudinally tapered side Walls, a wedge-shaped element Acarried between the sidewalls .of Asaid open- ;ing .and movable longitudinally aof said opening for resiliently separating the intermediate portions of said sections, a threaded shaft accessible from one of said gripping sections and having threaded engagement with said Wedge-shaped elementand operable to move the latter longitudinally of said opening, and a covering of elas- -tic material Vsnrrounnding the intermediate outer portions of said gripping sections.

5. An expansive implement handle comprising a pair of elongated resiliently separable handle sections having opposed and longitudinally extending inner surfaces, meansconnected withthe respective endV portions of'said handle `sections and rigidly uniting the same fagains't relative separation, the opposed inner surfaces loi' said sections being recessed @intermediate their :ends and forming 5in said handle an opening having longitudinally tapered side vvalls,ra wedge element -slidably carried 'between Athe r'side Walls :o'f said opening andmevable l'longlitudinally.of said opening vvto resiliently separate said sections I'intermediate :their ends, means 4accessible from one-end yci' said 'handle Vsections and connected with `said Wedge :element `for moving said Wedge -element iongitudinally vcf said opening, and :a-coveringfo'f elastic material .surrounding ythe 'intermediate Vouter-surfaces of saidhandlesections. f

PAUL H.'DORTMU'ND.

REFERENCES CITED i.The following references Aare of record in 1the l'e of this patent:

UNITED .STATES .PATENTS 

